Nearest Love- the Only Crime Is Love...

by Eu Aristos

"What's the problem Nk?"

  "Just Kunle..."

  "Which Kunle..? Your former driver..?" Vicky’s surprise could not be hidden.

  "Yea... There's this woman and her little son he introduced me to."

  "And...?”

  "The woman was attacked Friday night and she even had to undergo surgery."

  "Eeyaaa... Hope she survived the...?"

  "She's in coma." Nk jumped in... Tears dropped from her eyes. “I don’t even know why I’m crying now.”

  "Oh..." Vicky paused in her motion.

  Silence..."And Kunle has had to take care of them since that day."

  A brief silence came up between them.

  "To think that he had to go through all that the day I sacked him..." Nk couldn’t hold back the tears as they dropped from her eyes.

  "Uhmmm... You have started again." Vicky changed her sitting position to her friend’s side. "Wonder why you should be so emotional about all this. She'll be fine."

  "She is a good woman...She is a good woman..." Nk said. Silence reigned while she wiped her tears

  "Why did you sack Kunle? I used to think he was just good at what he does. There was something about him.... And of course I saw the way he treated you. Like a queen..."

  "I didn't want him sacked. I just didn't..." Nk interjected but paused.

  "Then what..?" Vicky queried with raised eyebrows.

  "They just didn't find a place for him since the last slot was filled about a week ago." She said.

  "You are avoiding the question. Why did you want him replaced?" She emphasized.

  "I was falling for him!!!" Nk vomited her feelings.

  "Ooh........." Vicky who was dumbfounded said.

  Their silence this time was accompanied with periodic stares at each other.

  "Did you ever tell him?" Vicky broke the silence.

  "No... I couldn't get myself to."

  "Why?”

  "He's my driver! Was my driver”

  "Uhm... Just when I thought you had morale to do what you wanted. You couldn't even get your driver to get to you. Your case is pathetic." Vicky mocked her laughing but Nk wasn't buying the joke and soon Vicky noticed.

  "Sorry." Vicky said. "What do you have in mind? Do you want me to front him for you?"

  "No no... I guess he's in a relationship, maybe..."

  "Why do you say so?" Vicky moved away from her a bit.

  "I heard a female voice in the background when I spoke to him today..."

  "Oh please... You have all it takes to displace anyone in his life. I'll handle it..." She assured her friend Nk.

  "No please... Don't.... Please..."

  "Why???"

  Silence...

  "Basil will be back soon."

  "Oh... That jerk who took you for granted?" Vicky looked pissed off.

  "He seems nice now..." Nk tried to smile.

  "No no... I don't like him."

  "It’s not like you ever did." Mumbled Nk

  "See, it’s not like he's not cute or what but I just don't trust him."

  "Can we not have this conversation???" Nk pleaded.

  "No we will have it. It’s a future which I'm going be part of that we are talking about here. So you are definitely not messing it up!" Vicky shouted.

  "Mtcheew..." Nk hissed as she removed her heels and made her way to the kitchen. "When I'm walking down the aisle with Basil, so come and pull me back."

  "See this one... So he's now in your dreams eh? I'll cast and bind him there. Even Nel is better than that Ba....whatever." Shouted Vicky.

  "Nel who?! Don't even go there; that childish guy."

  "What???! The senator's son?!"

  "Na money make am look like e get sense."

  "Ya mad oo." Vicky said dumbfounded when she got to the kitchen.

  "I know..." Nk responded

  "And that's why you've been single since...."

  "It’s you that's mad now."

  "Hahahahah..." Vicky laughed hysterically.

  "I'll tell Kunle for you..." Vicky mocked.

  ∞∞∞

  Chapter 7

  As a good businessman, selling rice, he was just conscious of his spending. What she didn't know was that a bulk of his savings was going into the children's future schooling and stability fund.

  ∞∞∞

  "Hello ma..."

  "Hello who's this?"

  "Ma no vex Na your driver... "

  "Oh... Where are you?" Nk tried to sound calm.

  "The moto tyre less naim I look for the spare e no good. E be like sey the last driver dey careless. Im no..."

  "Where... are... you...?”

  "I bin come back for church look for you but you no dey. Dem sey everybody don go..."

  "Where... Are... You..?" Nk asked him.

  "I come back house con collect your number from security make I fit call you..."

  "Aren't you listening to me???" She tried still....to be calm.

  "Maa..?"

  "Where are you???"

  "I dey for house...”

  "Your house or mine..?" Nk tried to be sure.

  "Your own ma…"

  "Ok. Stay there."

  "Maa..?"

  "Stay there!" She exclaimed and dropped the call.

  "Who was that? That was Kunle... Sorry... Babatunde"

  "The new driver..?"

  "Yes. He's at home... Said something about the tyre having issues..."

  "No spare?" Vicky queried.

  "Was faulty too..."

  "Uhmmm… Kunle doesn't strike me as one who's irresponsible. Why this..?"

  "Was my fault, I fired him the day he wanted to go fix it." Vicky stared at her in disbelief as she took the blame. The Nk she knew would never take blame for any mistake. "That Kunle guy really got to you..."

  "Why do you say that?"

  "Uhm... This one you accepted it your fault... I wonder oo" Vicky searched her face for answers.

  "Mtcheeww... I've said I'm not calling him again sef. I owe them no obligation."

  "Uhmmm... Whatever." Vicky said as she sipped her tea while at the same time, looking at Nk from the tip of her tea cup.

  ∞∞∞

  It was 3pm.

  That evening as they ironed Frankie's uniform

  "Uncle..." Frankie called out.

  "Yes???"

  "When we go see that aunty wey you dey carry for moto?"

  "Oh... A no know oo." Frankie was silent as he bit his fingers

  "Why you ask???"

  "Nothing... I just like am…"

  "Why you like am?" Kunle asked surprised.

  "She good, she dey play with me... I think sey you like am too?" Frankie asked. Kunle smiled.

  The truth, Kunle knew deep down, was that he took the job because he liked the way NK carried herself. But sometimes her character was a turn off. She reminded him of his late wife. She was an epitome of beauty; a smart banker who had just one flaw – being bossy. But still... he loved her. The event of the day before the accident flashed before his eyes. The memories were still fresh. That faithful morning, she had made some purchases that he felt were exorbitant and had tried to caution her. But she flared up, accusing him of being overtly possessive of all they had worked for when "obviously I make most of the contribution from work." She had yelled.

  He was pained.

  As a good businessman, selling rice, he was just conscious of his spending. What she didn't know was that a bulk of his savings was going into the children's future schooling and stability fund. He had wanted to surprise her with it on the eve of their 10th anniversary. They kept malice for the whole day until the night of the next day when she took the kids with her for an ice cream. It was their night out with the kids, but he claimed he wasn't in the mood.

  They didn't return.

  So when Nk acted the way she did, it wasn't new to him. But he needed someplace to turn to in a bid to cure his depression and so he accepted the offer because he was sure she could offer such cure. So his sack wa
s more or less a relief. He didn't want to have anything to do with her again so he avoided her invitation to meet.

  "Uncle..." Frankie called out to the Kunle who was lost in thought.

  "Uncle..." He called back a second time when he didn’t respond. So Frankie touched him.

  "Yes Frankie..." He smiled at Frankie after regaining his consciousness.

  "Your phone dey ring" Frankie said.

  "Owk..." He dropped the iron and picked up.

  It was an unknown number.

  "Hello..."

  "Yes... Who be this?"

  "I don't know what you are talking about..."

  "Wrong number…"

  He said and dropped the call.

  ∞∞∞

  Vicky knew what she wanted to do, but didn't know how to go about it. More than just a friend, she loved NK like a sister since their meeting in the university. They've always watched each other's back. She knew she needed to set her friend up with Kunle or Nelson in other to push her attention away from Basil. She just didn't like the guy, but couldn't figure out why yet. So when Nk went to use the bathroom she took Kunle's number from Nk's phone and tried to call him.

  "What are you doing with my phone???"

  "Nothing oo, just watching those pictures we took at the beach."

  "Oh... They were lovely pictures. Have you seen those motion pictures too where the wave was just perfect?"

  "Yeaa... Was Ok..." Vicky lied with a complimenting smile.

  "Hey babe it’s almost 4pm, could you come and take me home? Have to prepare for work."

  "Oh, you sef, can't you just stay the night here?"

  "…and risk going late to work tomorrow..?" Nk gave her that questioning look that demanded more.

  "…and so..? You are the madam mehn!"

  "Na so… I have limits dear. Late coming is a taboo for both big and small in that company." Nke said as she stood up and made her way to the sitting room.

  "Uhmmm what's the use of being boss then? I've told you to come and become independent CEO like me and you are doing eyanga." Vicky flared and fanned herself.

  "Mtcheeww... as if I care." Nk eyed her.

  "You do joor... Monday morning you start running to work when I'll be dosing..." Vicky mocked the already preparing Nk.

  "We are in two different worlds dear..." Nk said in defense.

  "Yes that's why you'll never get fat." Vicky mocked her again.

  "Shey you have come again. In fact I'm going." Nk stood up to leave and almost fell from her high heels.

  "See this one... You've grown fat just for the few moments you were here. Stay a week with me and see..." Vicky bragged.

  "Mtcheeww.... Wear cloth and come and drop me. "

  "Am I naked before???" Vicky questioned while staring at herself.

  “You are on bra and Bum-short and you are asking me if you are naked.”

  “Mtcheew... Let's go jor.” Vicky nudged her out.

  ∞∞∞

  9pm

  At this point in her life, nothing scared Nk more than her mother's voice. So when after she finished bathing, she returned to a missed call from her mum, her heart skipped.

  "Hello mum. Good evening ma" she greeted as soon as her mom picked up.

  "Nwam kedu..? How are you?"

  "I'm fine ma, and you?"

  "Ahu dim, I'm OK. So last time you tried to do me wayo na. You've forgotten I was once your age."

  "Hahaha, mummy please forget that thing kwanu..."

  "Why should I?"

  Silence...

  "Did you confirm the colors from Chy your sis?"

  "Yes ma.”

  "What colors did she tell you..?”

  "She mentioned something like... I've forgotten but I know I wrote it down somewhere."

  "You wrote it down okwa ya?" Nk sensed sarcasm in the question and so was careful not to answer it. "But the color she mentioned was kinda dull..."

  "I si kinda dull..?! Color that I suffered to combine! It is your brain that is kinda dull..!" Mama Nk raked. Nk chuckled.

  "You are laughing eh?! Let me not see you wearing it on that day and see what happens to you. Ewu awusa! "

  "Mummy cold is catching me. Oyi na-atum. Let me wear my cloth."

  "Why are you not wearing cloth? Okwa ka I buru ahu oria lota bia kwawaram kpohu-kpohu..?"(You want to come back sick and start coughing up and down for me?)

  "I just finished bathing ma." NK smiled

  "O di Mma. Kedu ka enyi gi nwoke mere?" (It’s ok. How's your boyfriend)

  "Which one..?" Asked Nk unknowingly as she tried to slip into her night wears.

  "Chere... ibuzi akwuna??? I na achuharizi umunwoke?" (Wait...you are now a prostitute? You now chase men around?) Her mom shouted.

  "Ah... mummy no na... I didn't mean it like that..."

  "How then did you mean it..?! Thought Chy said you were engaged already? When are you bringing him home? Eh?"

  "Ah... I didn't have any of such conversation with anyone oo."

  See... Better don't let Chy get married before you. Or I'll cut my hands off you. Ekwuchakwaa." (I've talked my own)

  "Oo... I've heard ma. You'll see him soon. "

  "Bye bye..."

  "Good night maa."

  Piim... She dropped the call and dived on her bed.

  10 seconds later... Her phone rang again.

  "Oooh... This woman oo..."

  She thought it was her mom calling back.

  She picked up her phone... It was...

  ∞∞∞

  Kunle was having a sleepless night. He used to have them after he lost his family. Drugs were his best friends then as he'd have to take a pill or two to fall asleep. With time, He soon regained his sleep pattern. But Since the attack on mama, sleeping has been a tug of war. Picking up his phone he noticed some missed calls. Two from the detective, one from Nk's security guy and then two from that line that called earlier. It was 9:35 so he decided to call back that line that called earlier. That person mentioned his name, so that means that person knew him. He pondered.

  "Hello..." "Yes.... Good evening, who are you?" "Oooh, a greet you ma." "Yes oo... She still dey coma now. We dey pray to God make she wake up." "Yes.... How you dey na?" "No wahala. OK. Thank Ma. God bless you." He dropped the call.

  "Uhmmm. Wonder how this woman take get the information. Who even give am my number?" He wondered. He remembered he had to put together the names of possible suspects as the detective had asked him. But none was coming to mind. He rolled from left to right side on his bed and hugged his pillow well. “This life sef” He thought, and almost instantly he began to feel angry at himself. I shouldn't have left them that evening. It wasn't worth it. Why I commot from there sef? He bit himself.

  That evening, he had gone to check out his shop in the market. Even though he worked for the company, he still had his business which none of them knew about. He had abandoned it to the care of his sales boy since after the accident; because in his depression, he didn't find any purpose for it again. Occasionally, he would drop in to see how things were going. His sales boy was diligent and trustworthy. So he gave him leverage to run the business.

  Sitting there wouldn't help as he felt the presence of his family around whenever he did. That was why he sold their duplex and moved into a smaller building. The 3 bedroom apartment he is in has always been his. It was built when he was still single. They moved after they had the twins, but chiefly because his wife loved space and had a great taste. But He decided not to sell it contrary to the opinion of his wife. Kunle's mind traveled from the good to bad times and from the bad to good times until he finally dosed off...

  ∞∞∞

  After she picked up her phone Nk was silent.

  "Hello ma..." came the voice.

  "Yes.... Who's this..?"

  "Ma na me Tunde..."

  "Oh... Babatunde..." She was relieved that this wasn't another scary and disturbing call.

  "Sorry ma. A no fit wait for you. A bin get club meet
ing na'im make I go before you return."

  "It’s OK. Good night sir."

  She said sarcastically. "OK my daughter." Silence....

  "Don't.... Call me this late again."

  "Ok."

  Dropping the call, Nk wondered how long it would take her to get used to having an old man as a driver.

  "What was I thinking when I even accepted him sef." She wondered. Kunle was her first driver and being relatively older than her by 5 years, she felt more relaxed around him. Sometimes she felt like sitting in front with him just so she could experience the felling of having to be 'driven by your spouse'.

  The room temperature was cooler so she picked up the AC remote and turned off the AC. After that was done, she hugged her pillow. Now the thought of the event on Saturday came to her mind. What do I do?? She knew that her Mum and elder sister's will be waiting for her to come back with someone after what happened in the Xmas of last year. She had come back feeling fly with her new appointment as VP in the company. She felt really on top of her world. So she insulted her sister's husbands when they spoke about money issues.

  "It’s your type that will go and marry nonsense and bring home! How dear you insult my husband..?!" Her immediate elder sister had barked.

  "Lai-lai... even if I dey sleep, I'll not stoop so low for a man like your husband." She returned.

  "Mtcheew.... We shall see. Idiot..!" Her sis backed

  The celebration.... Well... Let's just say she ruined the season for all of them. The men took their wives to their own village thereafter. Now that's why she felt she needed a cute and rich and hardworking man. It was a competition she needed to win to save her face. Basil was cute... Not so rich, but mildly hardworking. She saw it through the various conversations they've been having. Nelson was cute, rich but definitely not hardworking. Then there was Kunle... cute, hardworking but not rich. She felt in a fix. She needed to take someone home this weekend. Basil wasn't back yet, Kunle had a lot on his hands and so that left her with Nelson. I hope he is available... She wondered biting her lips. I'll call him tomorrow. Playing a game in her phone... She soon dosed off.

  ∞∞∞

  At her side, Vicky took her phone and tried to call Kunle. She needed to act fast before her friend makes a mistake of her life. Besides that, she suspected Nk needs his assistance for the event over the weekend.